The Antigua and Barbuda Permanent Mission at the United Nations was among the
co-hosts of a special concert held at the United Nations Building in New York City
to mark UN Day.
The 2023 United Nations Day Concert celebrated the adoption of the 1945 UN
Charter and focused on mobilizing global action in support of the world’s most
vulnerable nations on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga and organized, with support from the PVBLIC
Foundation, The Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United
Nations, The Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations,
and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the concert featured
internationally renowned cellist Michael Fitzpatrick, Tongan youth scholars from
the Mana Academy, and the world premiere of the Environmental Symphony: The
Movement – a multimedia symphonic experience featuring the New York Orchestra
Ensemble and conductor Julien Benichou.
During the event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres drove home a poignant
message demanding action in his opening remarks, “While we enjoy this moment
of music, culture, and creativity, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to a cause
that becomes more urgent by the day: climate action.”
The Secretary-General said this unprecedented challenge transcends borders and
affects all nations. “The most vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt of
extreme storms and droughts, changing weather patterns, and increased food
insecurity. Tonight, let the music remind us of our shared humanity and
interconnectedness. Together, let us redouble and accelerate our efforts towards a
safer, greener, more sustainable, more peaceful world.” he added.
H.E. Viliami Va’inga Tōnē, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Tonga to
the United Nations and host of the 2023 UN Day Concert concluded the concert’s
opening speeches by highlighting the role that island nations have in the battle
against climate change. In his remarks, he stressed the importance that data and
geospatial information play in this fight and touted Tonga’s participation in the
SDG Data Alliance. He ended by calling on world leaders to mobilize support for
COP28 in Dubai and the SIDS4 summit in Antigua and Barbuda next year.
